The digestive system
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What is the main function of the digestive system?
-To break down food into small building blocks to be absorbed into the bloodstream (Glucose and amino acids)
What are proteins used for?
-Growth, building, and repairing cells. -eg: Meat, fish, eggs
What are carbohydrates used for?
-Provides energy -eg: Potatoes, rice
What are fats and oils used for? (lipids)
-Contains lots of energy -Help to build cells -Stores fats to protect our organs and keep us warm -eg: Nuts, butter
What are vitamins used for?
-Helps with growth -Keep the body healthy -Important for: Skin, bones, teeth, gums -Help fight infections -eg: Dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables
What are minerals used for?
-Iron: Good for blood -Calcium: Builds strong bones and teeth -Magnesium: Helps nerves function -eg: Fresh fruits and vegetables, Dairy products, meat
What are fibres used for?
-Help with digestion of food -Helps food move through intestines -eg: Cereal, bread, nuts
What are the main processes of the digestive system?
-Ingestion: Eating or drinking -Digestion: Breaking down large food pieces into small particles to be absorbed into the bloodstream -Absorption: Digested particles move into the cells through the blood -Egestion: Undigested/ waste are passed out as faeces
What is the function of the mouth?
-Food is chewed and mixed with saliva -Saliva enzymes break down food (Amylase) -Tongue rolls the food into a ball (Bolus)
What is the function of the oesophagus?
-Circular muscles in the oesophagus contract and relax to push the bolus down -The process is called peristalsis
What is the function of the stomach?
-The stomach is a sac-like organ -Releases gastric juices to break down food (hydrochloric acid + enzymes) -The low pH level of the hydrochloric acid breaks the food down into smaller particles. -Stomach muscles help to break down the food and mix it with the gastric juices. -At this point, the food is now in liquid form.
What is the function of the small intestine?
-The upper part of the intestines is called the duodenum -Most of the digestion and absorption happen here -Intestinal juices are released to chemically break down food -Bile and pancreatic juice are released to break down food -The small particles get absorbed into the bloodstream
What is the function of the large intestine
-Absorbs water and minerals
What are the fuctions of the rectum and the anus?
-Undigested food is stored in the rectum -Then egested through the anus and faeces
What is the function of the liver?
-Creates bile and stores it in the gallbladder -Stores glucose and removes toxins from blood -Detoxifies alcohol
What is the function of the pancreas?
-Secretes pancreatic juice -Controls glucose levels by releasing a hormone called insulin
What are ulcers?
-Open sore that can develop on: The lining of the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, upper part of the small intestines -Caused by bacterial infections or certain medications -Very painful
What is anorexia Nervosa?
-An abnormal fear of gaining weight results in people starving themselves on purpose. -Leads to: Bone thinning, kidney damage, heart problems, and death
What is malnutrition?
-Not eating enough of one or more food groups Caused by: -Eating too much food -Eating too little food -Not eating in the correct portions -Poor eating habits
what is obesity?
-Eating too much food causes people to become overweight -Excess fat and sugar is stored as fat under the skin and around organs -Arteries become lined with cholesterol -Overweight people suffer from: High blood pressure; shortness of breath; heart problems -Excess weight damages joints like the knee joints